Skolars’ run of four home wins came to an end at the hands of league leaders Swinton Lions, but it took some hard work by the visitors to see off a determined Skolars’ performance. The defeat ended any last hopes of a play-off spot.
The Lions preparations didn’t go totally according to plan, with Phil Joseph being delayed in traffic after travelling separately from the rest of the team. That to Lee Wingfield being thrust into the starting line-up and he could scarcely have made a better start, running onto to Martin Ainscough’s pass from five metres out to score after Skolars had conceded a penalty.
Skolars kicking on the sixth tackle was more incisive that last week, Dylan Skee forcing four goal line drop-outs during the game. Two of the those came either side of their first try, with Lamont Bryan, enjoying more space than usual having been moved to the centres, racing to the line from 10 metres out.
The Lions extended their lead when Carl Ashall slipped the ball to Ainscough, but then had to withstand some strong attacking from Skolars. Jason Hart crossed the tryline twice in one set: the first time he was held up, the second saw him just lose the ball as he tried to ground it. That proved vital as the visitors moved downfield. A penalty for a ball steal saw them enjoy extended possession and the hard running Andy Gorski was rewarded for some hard work in the first half with a try down the right flank. Ian Mort’s conversion saw him record his 100th goal of the season and put the Lions 18-4 up at half-time.
Skolars looked to be coming back to the game when Jermaine Coleman picked up a loose Lions pass to sprint from the half-way line for his first try in three years, showing what Skolars have missed whilst he has been injured.
But that try seemed to be the catalyst for Swinton to raise their game. After a penalty for obstruction, Gavin Dodd slipped the ball outside to Phil Joseph. Then another fine run by Gorski led to another penalty and Dale Cuniffe finished off the move. When Danny Meekin went over 5 minutes later, the Lions were cruising and they went further ahead on the hour. Another Gorski break was continued by Sam Reay, with Ian Mort touching down under the sticks to the delight of the travelling support.
That try had come when Olly Purslow was down for what appeared to be a head injury and the game had a significant stoppage whilst he was attended to. Lamont Bryan made a good run down the right but his pass went to Cuniffe rather than his wingman.
The resulting goal line drop out saw Skolars enjoy a period of possession close to the tryline, with Austen Aggrey bursting through for the final try of the game.
Joe Mbu felt his side had given a good account of themselves against the league leaders. “With any strong side there’s something you can exploit and we executed well in the first half. But it’s crucial that we complete our sets of six”.
LONDON SKOLARS
3 James Anthony
18 Aaron Small
33 Lamont Bryan
30 Will Colleran
2 Smokie Junor
30 Mourad Kriouache
7 Dylan Skee
34 David Williams
9 Gareth Honor
25 Austen Aggrey
37 Jaroslaw Obuchowski
12 Oliver Bloom
15 Olly Purslow
Subs (all used)
32 Sam Gee
19 Jermaine Coleman
10 Jason Hart
22 Saqib Murtza
Tries: Bryan (20), Coleman (42), Aggrey (67)
Goals: Skee 1/3
SWINTON
21 Ian Mort
5 Sam Reay
3 Gavin Dodd
15 Darren Hawkyard
20 Richard Flooks
6 Martin Ainscough
25 Carl Ashall
38 Warren Thompson
9 Mark Smith
16 Neil Holland
11 Dale Cuniffe
36 Andy Gorski
12 Lee Wingfield
Subs (all used)
10 Dana Wilson
8 Mike Morrison
39 Danny Meekin
13 Phil Joseph
Tries: Wingfield (2), Ainscough (26), Gorski (39), Joseph (45), Cuniffe (50), Meekin (55), Mort (60)
Goals: Mort 7/7
Penalty count: 3-9
Half-time: 4-18
Referee: Craig Halloran
Attendance: 429
SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 4-6, 4-12, 4-18, 10-18, 10-24, 10-30, 10-36, 10-42, 14-42
